Happy Birthday Belinda!
The Diary of Sonsy Lass
Alex & June Laidlaw
Mon 28 Jun 2010 18:45
June 28th 2010-07-01
Happy Birthday Belinda! We sloped out of our anchorage in the Olhao River, Portugal, early this morning after a very pleasant evening. The only incident was a German yacht passing us, shouting 4 - 1( World Soccer Cup for our US friends). We were reprieved when we pointed to our Saltire Cross (Scottish flag) and got the thumbs up!
The winds were very light with calm seas however as the day progressed they disappeared completely. Our first challenge of the day was to duck and dive to avoid a humungous contingent of the Spanish fishing fleet who were homeward bound and very definitely not in the mood to take prisoners.
We continued to progress in doldrums type seas and our slow approach to Cadiz was further hampered by another aggressive group of the Spanish fishermen. This lot were on their way out and definitely on a mission. To add to the joy, the Spanish navy appeared on the scene. The big one asserted he was himself a Spanish Warship, as if there was any doubt. They accosted the humungous cruise ship 'Queen Victoria', which had the misfortune to be passing by. It made them detail all their particulars regarding ownership, etc, etc, and were actually going to request a full passenger list, some 3500 estimated. Every bit of info had to be repeated several times and spelt out phonetically. The ~QV' Officer of the watch was becoming a tiny bit indignant with each response. It was like listening to drama on the radio. However in the end they let him go free!!!
We eventually reached the Puerto America marina in Cadiz and indulged ourselves in a glass or two of champagne to celebrate the birthday girl.